Reston Summer Bucket List: Field Trip to Children’s Science Center

Every weekday in August, Reston Now will be offering suggestions for a Summer Bucket List — things to do, places to check out and activities to try in and around Reston before summer’s end.

Obviously, different ideas will appeal to different residents in different age groups. But we are open for ideas. If you have any “must-dos” of summer (even better: with a photo of you/your family participating in said event), email us at [email protected] and we will consider it.

Reston Summer Bucket List Item No. 10: Children’s Science Center Lab

Today’s suggestion will actually take you just slightly out of Reston. Head for Fair Oaks Mall, where the new Children’s Science Center is a fun, educational — and air-conditioned — place to pass part of the day.

After many years of fundraising and as a touring exhibit, the Children’s Science Center Lab finally opened its doors in late June.

The Lab is Northern Virginia’s first interactive museum where children, families and school groups can explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts through hands-on activities and programs.

The Lab is geared towards children ages 2 to 12. It features an Experiment Bar; Inspiration Hub: Hands-on exhibits demonstrating real-world applications of STEM; Tinker Shop: A space for making, creating, building based on open-ended engineering design challenges; and Discovery Zone: Hands on learning designed for budding scientists aged 5 and under.

The Lab is open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $12; discounts for seniors and military; children under age 2 are free. Visit Childsci.org for more info.

Photo: Children’s Science Center Lab/Courtesy Children’s Science Center via Facebook.